Feeding device for sewing-machines



(No Model.) r 2 SheetsSheet 1. R. M. HATGHER.

FEEDING DEVICE FOR $EWING MAGHINES.

Patented Apr. 24, 1888.

Attorneys,

N. PEYERS. Phum-Lnnngnphcr. Wash mglon. D. C.

(N0 Model..) 8 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. R. M. HATCHER. FEEDING DEVIGE' FORSEWING MACHINES. No. 381,778. Patented Apr. 24, 1888.

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WITNESSES.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD MANTON HATOHER, OF ST. BETHLEHEM, TENNESSEE. I

FEEDING DEVICE FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 381,778, dated April24:, 1888.

I Application filed May .21, 1887. Serial No. 238,997. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Brennan IVIANTON HATCHER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, re-

siding at St. Bethlehem, in the county of" transverse sectional viewtaken on the line or x of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an end elevation, partly invertical section, on the line 3 y of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a verticallongitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2 z of Fig. 3. Figs. 6, 7,and 8 are detail views of parts of my invention.

A represents the base-plate of a sewing-machine, from which projects theusual arm, B. At the front end of the said arm is a verticalguiding-box,0. From the under side of the base-plate, near the endsthereof, depend bearing-boxes D, in which is journaled a longitudinalshaft, E. Near the outer end of the shaft is loosely mounted a smallfly-wheel, F, and secured to the inner side of the said flywheel is apulley, G, having the peripheral grooves adapted to receive the usualendless belt to connect the same to the driving-wheel. (Not shown.)

H represents an arm, which is attached to the projecting'end of theshaft E and extends at right angles thereto. In the outer end of thesaid arm is pivoted a spring-actuated detent, I, which normally engagesa radial recess, K, in the outer side of the fly-wheel F, and therebylocks the said fly-wheel to the main shaft E. Atasuitable distance fromthe fly wheel F a cam, L, is attached to the main shaft. The end of thesaid shaft E opposite the fly-wheel is provided with a cam, M.

N represents a shuttle arm or lever, which is fulcrumed on the underside of the baseplate by means of a bolt or screw, 0. The

S represents a pair of cylindrical sleeves, which are fitted on thespindles P and are adapted to turn freely thereon. The said sleeves arearranged on opposite sides of the periphery of the cam L, and areprovided on their opposing sides with friction-plates T, which bearagainst oppositesides of the periphery of the cam.

V represents a curved shuttle-race made in the base-plate, and theradius of which is drawn from the center of the bolt or pin 0, whichforms the fulcrum of the shuttlelever. The long arm of the latter isprovided at its outer end with a carrier or head, W, adapted to receivethe shuttle and guide the same back and forth in the shuttle-race whenthe shuttlelever is vibrated.

On the upper side of the base-plate, near one end thereof, is formed theusual transverse guideway, X, for the slides Y, that cover theshuttle-race.

Z represents a plate, which extends transversely across the center ofthe shuttlerace. In that portion of the plate Z which is above the outerside of the shuttle-race is an opening, A, and at the ends of the saidopening are transverse guideways B.

0 represents a removable bridge plate or strip, which fits in theguideways B and extends o'ver the opening A. On the outer side of thesaid strip or bridge-plate a transverse opening, D, is made in the plateZ, for the purpose to be hereinafter explained.

E represents a needle-arm, which is pivoted to one side of the arm B, asshown, and the front end of the said needle-arm extends forward into therear side of the vertical guidebox 0 and is pivoted to avertically-movable needle-bar, F, which is guided in the guidebox.

G represents the pivotal pin, which projects from the neediebar andworks in a slot, H, at the free end of the needle-arm. The

upper end of the needle-bar F is provided L represents a guide, which isarranged on the upper side of the guide-box O, and in one side of thesaid guide L" is a vertical slit, through which the thread may bepassed.

On the upper side of the arm B, near the center thereof, is arranged avertical plate, M, which is provided on the front side with a circularrecess, N. From the center of this recess projects a pin or stud, 0, onwhich is journaled a circular disk, 1?, the periphery of which isprovided with a deep groove adapted to receive the thread. On the upperside of the plate M is a spring-arm, It, having an opening in its freeend. A pin, T, projects from one side of the plate M, and the shank ofthis pin extends through the said opening in the spring-arm. (See Figs.2 and 3.)

From the rear side of the arm B projects the usual vertical spindle, U,adapted to receive the spool of thread. At the inner end of theneedle-arm E is formed a U-shaped arm, V, the upper end of which isprovided with a pair of outwardly-extending ears, \V.

X represents an eccentric, which is secured to the shaft Eon the innerside of the pulley G.

Y represents a pitman, which has itslower end connected to the eccentricX by means of an eccentric-strap, Z. The upper end of the pitman Y isbifurcated to form a pair of vertical ears, A".

13 represents a block, which has its extremities reduced to formtrunnions that fit in transverse openings made in the ears 7'. Fromopposite sides of the said block 13 project trunnions G which work intransverse openings D, made in the ears A.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that when the shaftE is rotated in either direction the shuttle-lever will cause theshuttles to move back and forth in the shuttle-race, and the needle armEwill be vibrated or rocked in a vertical direction, and thereby causethe needle-bar F to reciprocate vertically.

E represents the usual springactuated presser-bar, which works in theguidebox or head 0 and has the lever F, by means of which thepresser-bar may be raised or low ered. To the lower end of the saidpresserbar is detaehably secured the usual presserfoot, G", which bearsupon the under side of the bridgeplate 0' when the machine is inoperation.

H represents a feed-bar, which is arranged on the under side of thebase-plate, near the front end thereof, and bears against the outer sideof the adjacent bearing-box D. This feedbar is guided longitudinallybetween depending ears Pand K which extend from the lower side of thebase-plate. The front end of the feed-bar isprovided with alongitudinalslot,L, the sides of which have longitudinal grooves which are V-shapedin cross section.

M represents a block, which fits in the slot L and is adapted to movelongitudinally therein. The said block M is provided with a longitudinalcentral slot, N.

with

0 represents a transverse pin, which extends through and connects theears K and also extends through the slot N.

I represents a screw, which works in an opening somewhat larger than thescrew in the front end of the feed-bar and has its inner end swiveled tothe front end of the block M. The function of this screw is to move theblock M forward or rearward in the slot L by means of the nut, which isadjustable thereon, and thereby regulate the length of the stitch madeby the machine, as will be hereinafter described.

It represents a curved pitman, which has its upper end pivoted to oneside of the block M, near the front end thereof, and the rear end of thesaid pitman is connected to the cam M on the front end of the shaft V bymeans of a wrist-pin, S. The lower side of the feed-bar bears upon theupper edge of the cam M.

T represents a right-angular feedarm, which extends through and isadapted to work in a suitable transverse groove, B, with which thebase-plate of the machine is provided. The lower end of this feed-arm isprovided with a vertical slot, V

W represents a set-screw, which extends through the said slot and entersthe feed-bar 11". The function of the said set-screw is to clamp thefeed-arm t0 the feed-bar at any desired vertical adjustment on thelatter. From the upper side of the horizontal portion of the feed'arm,at the'inner end thereof, projects a vertical feed-plate, X whichextends upward in the slot or dpening D and is provided with the feedteeth or serrations Y The operation of my invention is as follows: Thethread from the spool on the spindle U passes between the free end ofthe spring-arm R and the opposing side of the plate M, from thencearound the periphery of the disk P, then extends forward through theguide L, through the opening I in the upper end of the finger-bar,thence downward through suitable guides, Z on the front side of theguide-box, and is then passed through an opening at the lower end of theneedle-bar, and is finally threaded in the eye of the needle. A shuttleof the usual construction is placed in the head of the shuttle-lever andis operated therebyin the shuttle-race. When the main shaft is rotated,the needle-bar reoiprocates vertically and the shuttle moves back andforth in the shuttle-race, as before described. The cam M is so arrangedon the front end of the shaft E that it will raise the feed-bar H as theneedlebar ascends, and thereby the feed-plate carried by the saidfeed-bar will move upward audits teeth become engaged by the fabricunder the presser-foot as soon as the point of the needle is withdrawnfrom the fabric. As the main shaft continues to rotate, the pitman R,connecting the eccentric cam to the block held rigidly in the feed-bar,causes the said feed-bar to move rearward while it is elevated by thecam and to move forward while it is lowered by the cam, and thus thenecessary upward and rearward and downward and forward motions aresecured for the feed-plate, and consequent] y the latter feeds thefabric rearward a distance corresponding to the length of each stitch atthe instant succeeding that in which thestitch is made. By adjusting theblock M longitudinally in the slotted end of the feedbar the length ofthe stitch maybe regulated.

A sewingmachine thus constructed is extremely cheap and simple, containsvery few operating parts, runs very easily,and is almost noiseless;

Having thus described my invention, I claim-- l. The combination, in asewingmachine feed mechanism, of the rotating cam M, the feed-bar Hbearing on the said cam and carrying the feed-plate, the block M securedto the feed-bar and adjustable thereon, for the purpose set forth, andthe pit'man R, connecting the said block tothe cam M, substantially asdescribed.

2. The combination of the rotating cam M,

the feed-bar H bearing thereon and carrying the feed-plate, saidfeed-bar having the 1ongitudinal slot in oneend, the slotted blocksecured in the slot in the feed-bar, means for adjusting the said blocklongitudinally, the guidepin passing through the slot in the block, andthe pitman R connecting the said block to the cam, substantially asdescribed.

3. The combination, in a sewing machine feed mechanism, of the rotarycam M, the feedbar H bearing on the said cam, the block M secured to thefeed-bar and adjustable thereon, for the purpose set forth, the pitmanconnecting the said block to the cam, and the feed-plate attached to thefeed-bar and vertically adj ustable thereon, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signaturein presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD MANTON HATOHER.

Witnesses:

R. D. READ, ALEX. DAVIDSON.

